Chinese chopsticks are the longest of the 3 styles of chopsticks and have a square end. The material they are made from is typically wood, however they have been made of many different materials from ivory to plastic. There is no definite answer to why they the are longest, but it is said that it is because the Chinese typically share their food. When they sit at the table there are many dishes in the middle and each person pulls a bit of food rather than piling everything they will eat onto their plate as in other cultures. The wider and longer chopsticks make it easier to move food from a bigger serving dish to a smaller eating dish.
Japanese chopsticks are considerably shorter than those of the Chinese and taper to a point at the tip. The difference in shape may have been influenced by different eating customs; thinner, pointed chopsticks make it easier to pick up smaller, more delicate, pieces of food. When Japanese food is served it is typically served in many small portion sized dishes for each person. An example meal would be steamed rice, miso soup, a protein based dish such as grilled fish, and a vegetable dish such as sweet potato. It is common for most Japanese to raise the dishes close to their mouth while eating which is much easier to do using shorter chopsticks.
Korean chopsticks are similar in length to japanese chopsticks but are vastly different in design. Korean chopsticks have a width like Chinese chopsticks, but are almost completely flat throughout their entire length; so while the cross-section of a Chinese chopstick would look like a square that of a Korean chopstick would look like a very thin rectangle. In contrast to the other types of chopsticks these are made of silver, brass or even iron. They are also ornately decorated on the wider end which is held. The Koreans also accompany their chopstick use with a spoon by using the chopsticks to transfer some items to their spoon which is then used to eat. I'm not sure how this practice came about, but I do know these types of chopsticks are the ones I'm least familiar with, and least comfortable using. The rectangle shape makes them quite difficult to handle.
While this post doesn't cover every aspect of these culture's different ways it gives a basic idea of how things work. If I missed anything on got anything wrong then please let me know in the comment section.
everytime i eat in chinese restaurant.. i cant it with chop sticks cos i am 2 noob to do it
ReplyDeletethose Chinese chopsticks are real pretty :x also I'm pretty much a pro at using them... at least, the really cheap wooden ones at sushi restaurants XD
ReplyDeleteThe fork is bad ass.
ReplyDeleteI have to use chopsticks whenever I go for a chinese... it's the done thing!
ReplyDeleteInteresting information in this post
ReplyDeleteFor a man of European mutt heritage, I am quite adept with a pair of chopsticks.
japanese chopsticks <3
ReplyDeleteIm gonna stick to spoons lol.
ReplyDeleteI can never quite get the technique down for eating with chopsticks. i always give up about halfway through the meal because I am so hungry.
ReplyDeleteCool, never knew there was such a difference
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. I am not very good at using chopsticks; i'm like a toddler trying to eat with a spoon
ReplyDeleteI tried to use chopsticks other day at Japanese steakhouse... failed miserably lol.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know there was such a variety of chopsticks! But overall, I'm really bad at eating when it comes to chopsticks in general lol
ReplyDeleteI love using them whenever i get a chance too.
ReplyDeleteohhh those are really pretty, unfortunately i do not know how to eat with them =[
ReplyDeletethe ones in the picture seem quite elegant, do you know where can i buy chopsticks like that?
ReplyDeletei like plain original bamboo chopsticks
ReplyDelete